When a storm hits, one of the biggest threats to your household appliances is an electrical surge. An electrical surge can occur when there is a sudden increase in voltage that exceeds the normal flow of electricity.
This can happen during a storm when lightning strikes, causing an electrical surge that can damage or even destroy your appliances. To avoid this from happening, it is important to prepare your appliances for an electrical surge before the storm arrives. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
- Unplug Appliances
The easiest way to protect your appliances from an electrical surge is to unplug them before the storm hits. This is especially important for electronics like TVs, computers, and gaming systems, which can be more susceptible to damage from electrical surges. Unplugging your appliances not only protects them from electrical surges, but it also reduces the risk of a fire in your home.
- Install Surge Protectors
If you’re unable to unplug your appliances before the storm, then it’s a good idea to invest in surge protectors. Surge protectors are devices that are designed to absorb the excess voltage from an electrical surge and protect your appliances from damage. You can purchase surge protectors at most hardware stores and they come in a variety of styles, including power strips with surge protection built-in.
- Use Whole-House Surge Protection
While surge protectors are an excellent way to protect individual appliances, they may not be enough to protect your entire home. In this case, you may want to consider installing whole-house surge protection. Whole-house surge protection is a system that is installed at your home’s electrical panel and is designed to protect your entire home from electrical surges. This can be especially important for homes in areas that experience frequent lightning strikes or power outages.
- Turn off the Main Breaker
If a storm is approaching and you don’t have surge protectors or whole-house surge protection, you may want to consider turning off the main breaker to your home’s electrical system. This will cut off the flow of electricity to your home, which can help protect your appliances from damage. However, keep in mind that turning off the main breaker will also cut off power to your home, so be sure to have a plan in place for staying safe and comfortable during the storm.
In conclusion, electrical surges from storms can cause serious damage to your household appliances. To avoid this, you can unplug your appliances, install surge protectors, use whole-house surge protection, or turn off the main breaker to your home’s electrical system. By taking these simple steps, you can help protect your appliances and avoid costly repairs or replacements in the future.
Article by Brett Singleton – Brett Singleton is a professional appliance repairman as well as a Technical SEO consultant who specializes in Appliance Repair Marketing.
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